Not sure who they are? That is a real shame. They’ve been floating around the top of my list of favorite bands for the last five years since I was first introduced to them. It recently occurred to me that their progression through each of their albums reminds me of myself in a way. Going from angst and uncontrolled emotion to precise and structured communication but remaining exploratory and experimental along the way.

Yes, I just compared myself to a band from Lawrence, Kansas. One of them does have a beard, so there is that similarity.

Throughout their career, they’ve slowly grown on each record all while fine tuning the previous sound and skills they’ve displayed. I’d like to think that is what I do on a daily basis. It may come off as odd for someone to confidently say they’re consistently evolving and growing, but it’s something I’m aware I do. It never came about naturally, but only after years of realizing I wasn’t doing such a thing. It also was a result of looking back at myself very critically and going from there.

The constant in growing for me has always been the ability to think critically about myself and to completely live an examined life. Yes, there is a film title in there somewhere. Also, I believe it was Plato who said the unexamined life is a life not worth living. How very true.

Did I just drop some serious philosophy in here? I most certainly did. Ready for some more? Onto Nietzsche. In Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Nietzsche theorizes that the more we grow, the more we’re tested. He uses an example of a tree growing to explain this concept to a child that Zarathustra encounters. The higher the tree grows into the sky, the more it shall be battered by strong winds and tested daily. The beauty in this is that it can withstand this, due to it’s growth and strength. Could a small, undeveloped tree withstand what the larger tree can? Absolutely not.

However, only the larger tree is tested by such things, as it’s height exposes it to greater threats and mostly different threats. This means if you’d like, you can remain a small tree, or refuse to grow. However, you’ll never experience the ultimate tests that will shape you and make you stronger.

What’s the point? Forever in motion and a constant state of becoming, just like The Appleseed Cast and the incredible and beautiful music they’ve given people for many years. Their growth has made them stronger, prepared and more skilled. If I could affect a tiny fraction of the people they have, I’d be beyond satisfied.

Lastly, there are two meanings behind middle states. Other than the fact that The Appleseed Cast and myself are from the middle states, it also signifies that the journey is not yet over.

Oh, and to be clear…The Appleseed Cast are way cooler than I’ll ever be.

Seriously, last point, I consider sharks to be one of the finest creatures evolution has ever produced. They’re the perfect predator and they’re utterly fascinating.

The Appleseed Cast playing ‘As The Little Things Go’. Picture quality is poor, but the sound is not.